Restaurant Inspection Reports Now Available Online

Service NL today announced that restaurant inspection reports are now just a click away. The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL, together with the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, launched the new information resource today.

“The general public have the right to know that the establishment in which they choose to dine is complying with all food safety standards,” said Minister McGrath. “In addition, this new information resource provides an enhanced level of access by making these reports available online, 24 hours a day.”

While inspection reports have always been accessible upon request through the regional Government Service Centres (GSC), the new system will allow information from these reports to be made available online in PDF format. Reports are generally posted by inspectors on a monthly basis and though the new online tool captures inspections from April 1, 2012 onwards, older inspection reports are still available in paper copy from the GSCs.

“Today’s announcement is a great example of how the Provincial Government is working to proactively disclose information that is available upon request,” said Minister Hutchings. “Through the new Office of Public Engagement we will assist in identifying information that should be available for routine disclosure such as restaurant inspection reports. It is all about making access easier and this new web resource will do just that.”

Ministers were joined today by representatives from the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canadian Food Services Association. Both groups welcomed and supported the initiative.

“This new system is one part of a comprehensive food safety program and is a good step forward for the restaurant community in the province so we welcome the announcement being made today,” said Luc Erjavec, Vice-President Atlantic of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “Food safety is the top priority for all of our members, and by making the reports available online, we are demonstrating our commitment to a quality restaurant experience that lives up to the expectations of the public.”

Environmental Health Officers with Service NL conduct thousands of inspections of food establishments in the province annually, under an agreement with the Department of Health and Community Services which is responsible for the Food Premises Regulations under the Food and Drug Act. During each inspection, a formal checklist is used to ensure compliance with legislation on food safety and facility sanitation. Inspectors will issue directives to correct any problems and may schedule follow-up inspections to ensure that restaurants are complying with the regulations.

“We welcome the enhancement to food safety and cleanliness which is being made here today,” said Nancy Brace, Executive Director, Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. “Our organization strives at all times to deliver the best dining experience possible to the general public, and we are pleased to see the new online system which will allow the public to make informed decisions when dining out.”

To access restaurant inspection reports online, please visit www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/.  For a paper copy of an inspection report, please contact the Government Service Centre nearest you: www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/department/contact.html#locations. 

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Photo: The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL, and the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, announce the availability of restaurant inspections online. L-R: Nancy Brace, Executive Director, Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister Hutchings, Minister McGrath, Luc Erjavec, VP Atlantic, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

• View video of news conference

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2012 11 22             12:05 p.m.